Abstract: A regenerative hydraulic system includes a control circuit having a pressure sensing valve therein. The valve is in fluid communication with a pump and a work cylinder causing the cylinder to be actuated at a relatively high velocity during a first increment of displacement by employing regenerative techniques which interconnect the head and rod sides of the cylinder. Pressure increases due to encountering a load are monitored, and at a predetermined value, the system switches to a non-regenerative mode in which the effective force exerted by the cylinder is substantially increased. Upon switching to the non-regenerative mode, the system is latched and will remain so until the system fluid pressure drops to a second predetermined value which is substantially smaller than the first pressure, resulting in a hysteretic control characteristic which will prevent an unstable condition. A dual rate spring is included within the valve urging it into the regenerative position.